Column South (1953) - full transcript

♪ [ Bugle Blows ]

♪ [ Continues ][ Chattering ]

♪ [ Ends ]

♪ [ Harmonica: "Dixie" ]

♪ John Brown's body lies
a-mouldering in the grave ♪

♪ John Brown's body lies
a-mouldering in the grave ♪

♪ John Brown's body lies
a-mouldering in the grave ♪♪ Wish I was in Dixie, hurrah ♪

♪ His soul is marching on ♪♪ Hurrah, In Dixieland
we take our stand ♪

♪ To live and die
in Dixie ♪

♪ Away, away
Away down south in Dixie ♪♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪

♪ Away, away
Away down south in Dixie ♪♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪



♪ I wish I was in Dixie
Hurrah, hurrah ♪♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪

♪ His soul is marching on ♪

[ All Chattering ]

Whoa![ Crash ]

Sounds like you're just in time
for the party, Captain.

I suggest
you wait here, Marcy.
I'll be back shortly.

[ Crash ]

This is one of those times
when your brother
should be a civilian.

All right, break it up!
Attention!

When I call attention, soldier,
I mean attention.

I'm Captain Whitlock.

I've just assumed command
of this post.

Do we have
a first sergeant here?

Yes, sir.



Sergeant McAfee, sir.

All right, Sergeant. Every man
in this barracks is confined to
the post until further orders.

Yes, sir.And, Sergeant, don't bother to
sew those chevrons on too tight.

Now where will I find
the acting commanding officer?

Lieutenant Sayre, sir.

I'll see you in my office
in one hour. That's all.

At ease.

[ Chattering ]

Lieutenant Sayre
reporting as ordered, sir.

All right, Mr. Sayre,
you're at ease.

Now tell me,
just what the devil
was this all about?

Well, sir, I guess the men
just got tired of waiting
for the war to get started...

and decided to give it
a little push...

or settle it
all by themselves.

Just something they had
to get out of their systems.

There's nothing much out here
to keep a man occupied
when he's off duty.

It don't take long
before he's rucked up
and sour as a contrary mule.

We're discussing men,
mister, not mules.

And I won't have soldiers
acting like ordinary
drunked-up trash.

Get that
through your head.Yes, sir.

Time may come, Lieutenant,
when the North and South
are at each other's throat.

But as of right now,
there's no war being fought.
We're all in the same army.

I'm glad you
feel that way, sir.

That's the way I expect
every officer and man
in this post to feel.

If they don't feel it,
they can act it.

Now pass this on to the men.

Any more brannigans like I saw
here tonight, and I'll chill
their toenails for sure, mister.

Tell them that.Yes, sir.

They get itchy nerves,
let them go out
and shoot a few Indians.

That won't be necessary,
Captain. The Navajos are
in a friendly mood.

Well, from what I've heard,
the friendlier they are
the less they can be trusted.

You heard wrong, sir.
I've known Menguito
since I was that high.

There's nothing
two-faced about him.

Menguito?The chief.

One of your closer friends?

That's right.
A very close friend.

All right, they can go out and
hunt pack rats for all I care.
Amounts to the same thing.

That's all, Mr. Sayre.
Send in McAfee.

[ Screams ]

[ Screams Continue ]

What is it, ma'am?
What happened?

- Did you see him?
- See who, ma'am?

I-- Th-There was an Indian
outside my window.
Tried to break in.

Well, don't stand there
grinnin'. Do somethin'.

Now don't go bustin'
your stays, miss.
I'll get your Indian.

What's all the ruckus, Jed?

Seems like somebody
tried to ambush the lady.

Lieutenant Chalmers, ma'am.
Anything I can do?

Just-Just don't
leave me alone.

Now that's what I call
a real nice tour of duty, ma'am.

Here you are, miss.
Drink this.

Better?Thanks.

- [ Door Opens ]
- [ Gasps ]

This the savage that
was about to scalp you?

Relax, miss.
He's harmless.

A mighty good man to know if you
ever get lost. He's one of the
best scouts in the territory.

Meet Joe Copper Face.Get him out of here!

He won't bite you, ma'am.I said get him out!

He just wants to
make friends.Don't touch me!

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Come on, Joe.
Let's crawl back to our cages.

Don't start
racking her down, Jed.
She's only a woman.

What'd you expect her to do,
kiss him?

She can try
acting civil.

What are you men doing here
at this hour?

Where's Miss Whitlock?She had a bit
of a fright, sir.

Nothing serious.
I believe you'll find her
in her room.

Marcy?Oh, come in, Lee.

What is it, honey?
What's wrong?

Oh, everything.

I can't stand
this place, Lee.

Well, I'll-- I'll admit
it's nothing like home.

But after we get
it fixed up, it'll be--No. No, it's not just the house.

It's that
and everything else.

The dirt, the cold, Indians
sneaking around at night,
rude officers.

I just hate it,
that's all.

Officers?
What did they do?

He's like a nasty little boy
chasing after girls
with a dead mouse.

Why-Why, he dragged that
awful Indian in here as if
he enjoyed tormentin' me.

I'll be talking to him.Talking isn't gonna
change him...

any more than new curtains
are gonna change this house.

They're both
mean at the core.

Troop "A" all present
and accounted for, sir.

Troop "B" all present
and accounted for, sir.

All present
and accounted for, sir.

Dismiss the command.

Dismissed.

Oh, Mr. Sayre,
just a moment.

As ranking junior officer,
you'll be taking over
as adjutant.

placing officers' row
off limits to
all Indian personnel.

Off limits? Sir, if that's
because of what happened
last night--

I prefer not to qualify
my orders, mister.

Now I don't want to see them
outside their quarters
after lights out.

And since they're classified
as scouts, we can dispense with
their presence at formation.

Might just as well walk up
and hand them a slap
across the face.

I don't propose to turn this
into a debate on etiquette,
Lieutenant.

You have your orders.[ Man ]
Lieutenant!

Hello, Jed. Gotta a mighty
dead prospector for you
to mourn.

Barney Lucker.

When did it happen?Uh, couple, three days ago.

Saw his mule wandering
around loose in the foothills
yesterday morning.

That tipped us to
get a search party out.

Where'd you find him?In the Turkeys.

What do you think, Jed?
Those Injuns had about all
the peace they can stand?

I don't know just yet, Dan.

Go ahead, Captain.

I did it myself
the first time I seen a man
with his scalp off.

You men take the horse.[ Chattering ]

Looks like your buddy
Menguito is in for a mess
of misery, Lieutenant.

How's that, Mac?They got the captain convinced
the Navajos broke the peace.

He's sending Copper Face out
with an ultimatum.What kind of an ultimatum?

The chiefs have till sunrise
tomorrow to bring in the bucks
who killed Lucker or else.

I'm not turning my cheek.

Point is, I don't think Barney
was murdered by a Navajo
or any other Indian.

Well, how can you say that?
Half the man's head was gone.

You didn't see an arrow
sticking in him, did you?Proving what?

Proving this: An Indian may
scalp a man, but he'll always
sink an arrow in the body.

It's a superstition.
It's supposed to pin
the spirit to the corpse...

so it won't rise up
and go haunting the guilty
Indian or his friends.

Well, that's very interesting,
Lieutenant, but it hardly
satisfies me.

Then maybe this will.
Barney was on
a prospecting trip.

Yet when they brought his body
in there wasn't as much
as an ounce of dust on him.

His money belt was missing.

No Indian in his right mind
would murder a man for gold.

More guesswork. That rancher
could have lifted the gold,
or somebody in the search party.

I'm afraid I can't go on
what you assume, Lieutenant.

Then what can you go on?Facts.

Don't be so touchy
about your Indians.

Your bare hands are clean.
Nobody will try washin' them.

Sometimes a little ambition
makes people see dirt
where there isn't any.

Just what do you mean by that?

Harrison won himself
an Indian campaign
and got elected president.

That's all, Mr. Sayre.

Some people just can't stand
a little peace and quiet.

Now the milk's spilt.

Where you going?

Someplace where I can
buy myself a skinful.

Don't go throwin'
a wingding, Jed.

Whitlock's out to make
a name for himself.

He'll have this outfit
in a glory campaign if it's
the last thing he ever does.

[ Marcy ]
Is that right,
Mr. Sayre?

Well, I didn't
hear you knock, miss.

You couldn't hear anything.
You were too busy
wagging your tongue.

That's partly what
the good Lord put it
in my head for.

Too bad he didn't put
something in your spine
while he was at it.

Any man who'd sit around
twiddling his thumbs...

while savages go about
scalping half the country--

Bye, now.Don't you walk out
on me, Mr. Sayre.

Frankly, miss, one Whitlock
a day is enough for me.

Why, you're not fit to
polish my brother's boots.

I hadn't planned on
volunteering for that duty.

And if the captain mentions it,
I'll tell him what you said.

Come on, Ben, it's getting
thirstier by the minute.

You know, if you two put off
hating each other so much,

you might find you
like each other a lot.

♪ [ Guitar ]

You boys
smell somethin'?

Sorry about Barney, Tom.
Tough.

Yeah, I'll bet.
Must be all broke up.

Have to go out
and spank some redskins now.
Tough on you soldier boys.

We buried him
outside the post.

Wasn't much
of a funeral though.
None of his friends showed.

All right,
I don't like funerals.
Do you mind?

He was your friend.

Poor old Barney.
I open.[ Coins Clunk On Table ]

Yes, sir, things
in a stinkin' mess.♪ [ Ends ]

A man never knows.
Injun liable to hop him
on Main Street at high noon.

Trouble is we got too many
soldier boys like Jed,

not enough civilians
like his old man.

Yes, sir, old Rube Sayre,
he knew how to handle
them red devils.

No, sir, it's
no wonder Barney's dead.
Look who's protectin' him.

I tell you old Rube Sayre
had the idea.

Get to them
before they gets to you.

Hey, amigo,
play something loud.

Hey, Tom. Where you been
keepin' yourself?♪ [ Guitar ]

Been around, Wint.
Been around.That's funny.

Rode by your shack
three or four times the last
two days, not a sign of life.

Wanted to see about
trading my chestnut.

All right, all right.
Talk about it later.

Injuns killed my best friend.
It's no time to talk business.

No offense, Tom.
Just wonderin' how come
you pulled stakes so sudden.

[ Tom ]
Who said I pulled stakes?
I told you I been around.

[ Man ]
Call.[ Coins Clunk On Table ]

Ben?Huh?

Can you still stack a deck?Me? I'm an officer
and a gentleman.

Yeah. It don't stop you
from being a crook.

Well, can you or not?Oh, I guess so.
Why?

We're gonna play
a little poker.

Keep me out in front
till I give you the word.

Then deal Tom aces full.
Just jacks for me.

Well, what's up, Jed?

You ever get a hunch?

[ Tom ]
Kings up.

Three 10s.

[ Chuckles ]

Might if we sit in?Soldier money is spent
like anybody else's.

I ain't choosy.

[ Dog Barks In Distance ]

Maybe you better quit
while you still got
eating money, Tom.

Don't worry so much.
Deal, Chalmers.

Let's open for 20.

Call.Fold.

Cards?Three.

[ Tom ] Two.

Bet 50.

And 50 more.

Big hand, huh, Tom?

That's too bad you're all in.
I might like to lock horns
with ya.

Talk's cheap. Anytime
you feel like forgetti''
about table stakes--

Ah, give him a break, Jed.

He's been losing all night.
Let him play back to his pocket.Why not?

Here's your 50.
200 more.

And another 300.

I don't see anything
to back it up.

I'm good for it.I like it
where I can see it.

Don't burn your hands.

Mind if I see what
your money looks like?Cover anything you got.

Well, you callin' or not?

When did you start
prospecting, Tom?

Been at it a long time.
Maybe four years.

Never got around to bankin' it?Gonna bank it today. That's
how come I was wearin' it.

Decided to bank it
after four years, huh?

Maybe on account of what
happened to Barney's dust.

Yeah, that's right.
Don't want no Injun
gettin' ahold of this.

How'd you know
Barney's dust was lifted?
Nobody said anything about it.

Well, uh, guess
I-I thought, uh--

Where'd you pan it, Tom?

Colorado.
Got it in Colorado
maybe four years ago.

You're a liar.

Colorado gold's red.
It has copper in it.

This is pure yellow.
Local stuff.

You killed Barney.

Chopped his head open
and took his dust.

Cuttin' a big gut,
soldier.

Don't start
what you can't finish.I can finish it.

Take a look at his horse, Ben.
If he's been in the Turkeys,
the shoes will show wear.

There will be sand loam
packed under rims.

Right.

Why, you--

[ Panting ]

Guess somebody better
see about wakin' up
the sheriff.

What's up, Mac?
Where is everyone?

Pulled out right after
assembly, sir.Didn't the chiefs show up?

Did you expect
they would?
[ Spits ]

Menguito sent the word
back with Joe.

Told Captain Whitlock
what he could do
with his ultimatum.

Made the captain kind of mad.
He lit out of here with a mind
to read 'em the scriptures.

Satisfied? Give me a hunk
of that pigtail.

If it's peace offerings you're
takin', better get one for
the captain while you're at it.

He's sore as a boil
about you two
breakin' restrictions.

Dismount!

Take cover!
Take cover!

Take cover!

Place those guns
across the body
off the slope!

Hold the crest of the hill!No, Captain, no!
Menguito does not make war!

He's right, sir.
They could have whittled us
down to nothing by now.

They're asking us
to hold up here for a spell...

and make it mighty clear
what this visit's all about.

They already know
what it's all about.

A white man was murdered
and some Navajo
is gonna pay for it.

Relax.
Dyin' ain't so bad.

You've been doin' it
since the day you was born.

Yeah. I just wish I knew
what I was aiming at.

Sonny, if it moves and don't
call you by your first name,
shoot it.

Can you get through
to the chiefs?

Well, take this message.

If the Indian who murdered
that white man isn't delivered
to me in five minutes,

I'm gonna open fire
with my cannon.

If he delivers that message,
there's no backing out.
We'll have a fight on our hands.

Get going!

Well, there goes a year
of peace shot to blazes.

Where the devil
you been, Sayre?

In Watrous, sir,
hearing Tom Kehler confess to
the murder of Barney Lucker.

What?That's right, sir. Tom Kehler.
He's a white man, not an Indian.

Joe, come on back!
It's all right!

Come on back!

You sure what you're saying?Ben and I turned him over
to the sheriff this morning.

All right, Mr. Fry,
we have no more
business here.

Assemble the men
and re-form the column.Yes, sir.

Assemble!
Re-form!

I was just thinkin', sir,
as long as we're here,

it might be a good idea
to have a little powwow
with Menguito.

I got nothing
to say to him.

Well, there's been a lot
of muscle flexed here today.

I'd hate to see him
get the wrong idea.

Let him make the most of it.
Nobody's been hurt.

Course, that's
all up to you, sir,

but I wouldn't want Menguito
to get the notion...

he'd made the cavalry turn tame
and run for home.

All right, Mr. Sayre.
Let's have a look
at your Indians.

Not a kid or a squaw in sight.
They meant business.

Are we welcome here,
Menguito?

It is always good to see
the face of a friend,
Belinka.

I kinda figured you'd be
running short on pigtail.

This is Captain Whitlock.
He's the new soldier chief
at Fort Union.

Why do you come here?

The lieutenant thought
we should meet.

It isn't right that leaders
should be strangers. The captain
wishes to be a friend.

I have only heard
his angry words accuse
my people of killing.

I have watched him
enter our camp
ready to make war.

This is no sign of friendship.

Yeah.
Words were spoken in haste.
They were wrong.

Captain's ridden many miles
to say he's sorry
for sending them.

If this is true,
it takes but one tongue
to say as much.

Why are there
so many soldiers,
so many guns?

Soldiers are like horses,
they-- they grow soft and lazy
without exercise.

Do the guns also
grow soft and lazy?

With these eyes I saw them
loaded and aimed at my people.

Soldier chief
thought your arrows
were marked for war.

A leader should be wise.

A mistake anyone
could have made.

If he had his mind set on war,
do you think he would have led
his troops into an ambush...

that even a child
could have sensed?

Isn't that right, Captain?

That's right,
Mr. Sayre.

I would like to believe
what you say is true.

Ha![ Speaking Navajo ]

Why, you thievin'--

[ Speaking Navajo ]

He'll be whipped
for what he's done.

I'm sorry for this, Belinka. Maybe it's a good thing.

Maybe now you'll realize
that your own people
can make mistakes too.

All mistakes are bad things
when war comes easy,
and it is hard not to make them.

But it will be harder for you
than for me, because you are
new in this land.

Now I say this as a friend.
You have great courage,
but you have much to learn.

Until you are wiser,
seek counsel in this man.

Listen to him well.

It may be, Soldier Chief,
that he has more wisdom
than either of us.

Then the peace
is strong, Menguito?

It will always be strong so long
as there are men with clear
minds who guard it well,

Belinka.

I'm afraid this fella didn't
enjoy the ride so much,
but I did.

I'm much obliged for
your company, Lieutenant.

Pleasure, ma'am.
Shall I see you
to the stables?

No, that won't be necessary.
But would you tell the captain
we're back, with our scalps on?

He was a little worried
about that.Certainly, ma'am.

And rest!

[ Sighs ]

This don't make
a lick of sense to me.

What Injuns gonna stand there
and let you chop on him with
one of these overgrown razors?

Ask Whitlock.
This drill's his idea.

I reckon that's the way
they do things
in Mississippi.

I got a taste yesterday
of the way they do things
in Mississippi,

and it darn near
cost me my neck.

No, thanks. I'll take a man
like Lieutenant Sayre
every time.

Well, I'd sure feel a lot better
if he was giving the orders
and Whitlock was takin' 'em.

That's for sure.

Still looks shaky to me.I'm afraid you're right.
Guess we'll have to retire him.

Can I give you
a hand down, miss?You can keep your hands off me.

Suit yourself.

Ohh!

Must be the eastern way
of gettin' off a horse.
Interesting.

[ Whinnies ]

Don't excite him, ma'am.
Might turn into a rough ride.

Will you please help me?

Why, I'd be
happy to, ma'am.

Ohh!

You must take particular delight
in trying to make fools
out of people.

Well, I sure been getting
a lot of help lately.

Bruised your fetlock, huh?

Indian party approaching!

Welcome to Union, Menguito.[ Navajo ]
Belinka.

Say, I thought we were
supposed to be supplying you.

Well, you have very good pigtail
and flour. Not such good meat.
Very bad blankets.

You make us happy,
we make you happy.

That's a fair enough deal. ♪ [ Bugle Blows ]

Well, it sounds like you're
just in time for some of that
not-such-good meat.

Mac, see about feeding
the others, will you?

And tell the Q.M. we'll start
issuing right after chow.Yes, sir.

Let's get washed up
and get some food.

You see,
Lee gave me my first pony
when I was only 10 years old.

Well, that explains
why you ride so well.

I believe you know everyone
except the captain's sister.
Miss Whitlock, Menguito.

It is my honor.

Your sister
has much beauty.

Thank you.

Take my chair, Menguito.

Well, wouldn't you know it.
I forgot my medicine.

Excuse me.
I-- I'll be right back.

Pleased with yourself?What are you talking about?

Walking out like that.I believe it's my privilege
to come and go as I see fit.

Not when you've got an important
chief for a guest, it isn't.

He's your guest, not mine.I don't care
whose guest he is.

You insulted him
and he knows it,
and I don't like it.

That's funny. I don't like to
see my brother insulted either,

but that never seemed to make
any difference to you, did it?

I figured you had something
like that in mind.

Look, if you got a score
to settle with me, fire away.

Make sure it's me
you're aiming at.

Think up a good excuse
for taking this little stroll
and get back in there.

Listen carefully.

I don't care if your friend
is the most important chief
in the entire West.

To me he's just
a redskin savage...

and I can't stand the stench
long enough to stay
in the same room with him.

That wasn't him.
You just got a good whiff
of your own soul.

And, lady, all the perfume
in the world wouldn't
cover that up.

Jed!

I think I better see you
to your quarters, ma'am.[ Panting ]

Thank you for your kindness,
Lieutenant. I-I'm all right now.

In that case,
I think there's something
about Jed you ought to know.

I don't want to
talk about him.

I don't suppose you've ever
heard about the Sayre massacre.

Used to be pretty famous
in these parts.

Happened when Jed was a kid,
about eight or nine.

His old man organized
the whole thing.

One night he rounded up a bunch
of half-drunk vigilantes...

and they set out
to raid a Navajo camp.

Wasn't any need for it
either.

Them Indians had been at peace
for over two years.

They were sleeping
when it happened.

Never got a chance
to get their blankets off.

I tell you, ma'am,
it wasn't a fight.
It was just plain slaughter.

Oh, that's awful. Ask Jed
how awful it was.

You mean he was there?

His old man
dragged him along.

Figured it was time
he started learning
how to handle redskins.

Nine years old. Yeah.

And he saw enough
in that bloodbath
to last him a lifetime.

Babies killed.
Squaws getting cut to pieces.

His old man acting
like it was fun.

You don't even
want to hear about it,
but Jed's had to live with it.

Never could get it
out of his mind.

It was like just being there
made him as guilty
as the others.

That's why he's so touchy,
ma'am, about the way
people treat the Indians.

He's never stopped trying to
make it up to them.

Oh, and about your brother.

He'd probably be dead today
if it wasn't for Jed
doing some fast thinking.

Jed.

Beg your pardon, miss.Jed.

Mr. Chalmers
told me everything,

about what happened
with your father?

And what you did
for my brother.

Jed, try and believe me.
I am sorry.

I believe you.

And, Jed?

Jed, there's
something else.

We've been fighting
ever since we met.

I wasn't sure why.

I only know I wanted
to hit out at you.

Hurt you if I could.

I know why now.

Lee?

Lee.

Well, what is it?

What does it mean?I don't know.

I don't know.
War, maybe.

A step closer anyhow.

Well, there
can't be a war now.
There just can't be.

Gentlemen,
you can count on war
within a month.

The moment war is declared,
the Confederacy will strike
through Texas into New Mexico.

The plan calls for
a swift, decisive victory
in this territory.

Then a campaign in Arizona
and finally California.

If the strategy succeeds,
the South will not only
have vital ports,

but, more importantly,
it will have cut the Union's
lifeline-- the gold supply.

Considering that uniform,
General Stone,

you have a most
amazing knowledge of
the Confederate's plans.

The uniform
has its conveniences,
but it can be shed in a minute.

Grantin' what
you say is true,

aren't you taking a risk
passing such information around?

Not to you gentlemen.

I've known your sympathies
for some time. I felt that
you should know mine.

We're Southerners by birth.
That accounts for
our allegiance.

But what do you expect
to get out of it?

Governors are made,
not elected.

Well, it's a daring scheme,
I'll give it that, but
I don't think it'll work.

Not in a million years.I'm making it my job
to see that it works.

After all, an army can
only hold territory with
good defense positions,

when its troops
are up to strength
and when it is well supplied.

I propose that our army shall
have none of these things.

And troops occupied with
one fight can't very well
take on another.

And I propose to
occupy our troops.

In fact,
I have already started.

"Reliable information has
reached this headquarters...

"that a shipment of rifles
and ammunition was intercepted
by Navajos...

"who killed both driver
and guards.

"It is believed the arms have
been cached in the immediate
vicinity of Hidden Falls.

"A thorough investigation
is herewith ordered.

"If the arms are located,

"it will be assumed that the
Navajos have violated treaty
and are not desirous of peace.

"They will be immediately
removed to Yellow Springs,

"under force of arms
if necessary...

"and kept under the close
surveillance of your command.

Signed, Brigadier General
B.N. Stone, Commanding
9th Military District."

I don't believe it.

Even if it was true, moving the
tribe to Yellow Springs would
just be asking for trouble.

The place isn't fit for animals,
let alone humans.

That's beside the point.
We've been given
a clear-cut order.

A thorough investigation
is herewith ordered.

Understand me, Lieutenant.
I have no more affection for
your Indians than I ever had.

At the same time,
I'm not anxious for trouble.

So I'm turning it
over to you.

Get a detachment
and go and have a look.

You won't be
coming along, sir?

I'll leave
the diplomacy to you.
Handle it your own way.

You can draw whatever supplies
you need for gifts just in case
you don't find the rifles.

Thank you, sir.But if you
should find them,

don't come back
until the whole tribe
is moved to Yellow Springs.

We won't find anything, sir.

Why are we
stopping here, Jed?

I figure it's gonna be
a touchy proposition
any way we slice it.

Riding in with a full detachment
will only make it worse.

Seems to me we look
peaceful enough.
No cannons.

No ammo wagons.Just the same,
I'm riding ahead with four men.

The rest of you
can light here.Four men?

Primrose, Sabbath--Now hold on, Jed.
Whitlock said a detachment.

Vaness, Chavez.
He said for me to
handle it my own way.

You men will be riding with me.
Leave your guns here.Yes, sir.

Now look, Jed,
there's no sense
taking chances.

That's why I'm doing it
this way. You men ready?Yes, sir.

Let's go.

Dismount!

Belinka!

This is a good surprise.Let's hope so, Menguito.

What does that mean?

Your face is gray, Belinka.
Is there trouble?

I don't think so. Except
sometimes a man has to say
things he doesn't want to say.

Worries about them
being taken the wrong way.

Talk between friends
should come easy.

All right.

Many days ago, an army wagon
carrying rifles and powder
disappeared.

The driver and guards
were never seen again.

Now the chief of all soldiers
in Santa Fe...

has been told that the wagon
was raided by a party
of your braves...

who killed the guards
and made off with the rifles.

I have told you that
the peace is strong.

You'll find no guns here.

I was sure of that
before I started.Still you came. Why?

My orders are to
look for those rifles.

I have given you my word.
Is that not enough?

It's enough for me, but--But not for the soldier chief.

No.Then go with your men
and look.

You'll find no guns.

Menguito, wait a minute!

No, Belinka.
There are too many things
between us.

See anything?

There's nothing
up here, sir.

All right,
come on down.

Looks like a wild
goose chase, sir.

Hey, Chavez!

Under the falls!

Looks like a cave!

Hey, Lieutenant!

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

Chavez!

Get back to Chalmers and
tell him what we've found here.

We're heading for Menguito's.

You were right, Menguito.
There are too many things
between us.

I know nothing
of these guns.
I speak the truth.

Still, I know
this is a bad thing,
and I will question my people.

Never mind.
Just tell them to get
their belongings together,

- be ready to move
to Yellow Springs by sunset.
- I will give no such word.

My orders are
to move you out.

You speak of a place
where vultures grow fat...

from the bodies of those
who die without food in winter
and without water in summer.

This is our home.
We will not move.

Hear me well, Menguito.

If you haven't given the word
to your people by the time
that cloud passes the sun,

I'll open fire.

Look around you, Belinka.

When that cloud
passes the sun.

[ Guns Cocking ]

- [ Gunshot ]
- [ Horse Whinnies ]

Seems like it's your turn
to look around, Menguito.

An evil heart rises
from the spirit of the father
and enters the body of his son.

I am not so old that the sight
of my mind grows blind.

To this day it sees
another peaceful village
surrounded and attacked,

burned to the ground
without cause.

From where I stand as chief,
I say that will not happen
again.

We will travel to Yellow Spring.

But I tell you this,
Son of Evil,

I give you
no promise of peace.

"Following confiscation of
the rifles and ammunition,

"the Navajos were removed
to Yellow Springs
as per your instructions.

"I will await further orders
regarding...

disposition of the arms"--
et cetera, et cetera--

"Lee N. Whitlock, Captain"--
et cetera, et cetera.

I've seen Yellow Springs.
They won't stay there
for long.

I hope not, gentlemen. However,
I'll know more about that...

after I've had a firsthand look
into conditions at Union.

What happens if the lid
blows off while you're away?

Well, if that happens,
I couldn't ask
for better timing.

[ Chuckles ]

Captain Whitlock, sir.I've been looking forward
to this meeting, Captain.

I hope you won't mind
putting me up for a few days.It'll be a pleasure, sir.

Oh, Sergeant. Would you see
to General Stone's luggage?

And find some quarters
for his men.Yes, sir.

I'd just about given up
on these supplies, sir.

I'm afraid it's barely half
of what you requested.

For some reason
supplies are getting harder
to come by every day.

I've sent a dozen
urgent letters to Washington.

All I get in return
are promises.

Oh, Sergeant.

Have a detail store
the ammunition in
the magazine right away.

Yes, sir.Shall we go
inside, sir?

Hey, don't let them stripes
go to your head, hominy grits.

Everybody works on
this here plantation.

This army sure comes up with
some of the stupidest,
muddleheaded notions.

Stickin' a magazine a half mile
outside an army post.

Why don't they put it inside
where it belongs?

Because if it ever blew up,
it'd take this whole fort
with it, and you included.

I suppose they just couldn't
put a door on it so we'd get
to it from the outside...

instead of crawling through
a hole in the ground.

Sure. Except them doors
don't care who opens 'em--

white men or Injuns.

How'd you get to
the powder if the fort
was under attack?

¿Comprende?
Use the head, Biddle.

What head?
From the neck up
he's all mouth.

If that's the best the South
can do, I sure pity them.

You know, Vaness,
one of these days...

somebody gonna have
the pleasure of taking
the pitch out of you.

But it won't be you, Biddle.
You bellow and snort
like a bull,

but you sure fight
like a heifer.Oh, yeah?

Well, let's just see
about that.

[ Jed ]
Break it up, fast.

- What's going on here?
- Well, I had just about
all I could take...

from this no-good Yankee.That's what
you think, reb.

Attention! Looks like a nice,
cool guardhouse...

is the best place for
hot tempers like yours.

Follow me.

Well, I don't know when
I've enjoyed better food
or such pleasurable company.

You've made Union seem so
attractive, I may be permanently
spoiled for Santa Fe.

Thank you, General.
You're most gallant.

This just came in, sir.Thank you, Sergeant.

Excuse me.

Oh.Bad news, sir?

Yes, it is, Captain.

The whole Apache nation
has gone on the warpath.

[ Chattering ]

According to this,
they're already in bad shape
at Fort Stanton.

They need help--
all the help they can get.

I'm afraid you're in
for some heavy duty, Captain.

How soon can you be ready
to take the field?Take the field?

Yes, leaving behind just
a skeleton complement.

Well, I should think
24 hours should do it, sir.

Good. You'll leave behind
only those men absolutely
necessary to staff the post.

Everybody else goes,
full equipment.

And you will proceed
directly to Stanton.

General, if you pull us
out of here now,

it'll leave
this territory wide open,
and Menguito'd just love that.

He'd go crazy anytime
he felt like it.

Well, I was under
the impression
the Navajos were at peace.

After sending them
to Yellow Springs?

Well, undoubtedly,
Menguito's in a sulky mood,

but from all reports
he's not making any medicine.

Neither were the Apaches.
You can't tell about
these things, sir.

All right. I'll send a message
to headquarters to rush up
a company of 100-day volunteers.

They're not much,
but they can handle
this kind of trouble.

Even so, sir, it'll take 'em
a few days to get here.

It'll take Menguito longer
than that to put his paint on,

let alone round up
weapons and horses.

I wouldn't bank on that.

The Utes are only
a hundred miles away,

and they'd be happy
to supply Menguito with
everything he needs.

Couldn't we at least wait
until the volunteers get here?

- That might be a fatal delay.
- But, General--

Lieutenant, you're worried
about what a handful
of Navajos might do.

I'm worried about what
the entire Apache nation
is doing right now.

There's no other way
to handle it. I'll see you
in your office, Captain.

All right, gentlemen,
I'll make this brief.

Lieutenant Sayre,
you'll be in charge
of preparations.

Every minute counts,
so I'd suggest
you get a move on.

Lieutenant Posick,
you remain here at the post.

Figure out the men you need,
but keep it to the bone.

By the way, Sayre,
you can release
Biddle and Vaness.

We'll need every
available man.

That's all, gentlemen.
Come along, Marcy.
We have some packing to do.

Everything's under way, sir.
With luck, we should be able
to leave by sunrise.

Good.
The sooner the better.

Worried?

Only about Marcy.

Maybe it's a mistake,
my taking her along.

If we should run into
any serious trouble, I--

Oh, no, you won't.
You won't.

[ Lock Clicks ]

As a matter of fact,
Captain,

the Apaches have never been
in a more peaceful mood.

Yes, I know.

I also said you'd be going
to Fort Stanton.

Well, uh, that wasn't
exactly true either.

However, you will be headed
in that general direction.

What are you talkin' about?

So far as the men are concerned,
you will be going to Stanton.

Your, uh, job, is to gradually
ease them into Texas.

By the time you get there,
war will have been declared.

We can assume that, uh,
one third of the men...

will enlist in
the Confederate army.

The others will be taken
prisoners of war.

Oh, that message
was simply a device.

First, it enabled me
to put your troops on
the march headed south.

Secondly, it informed me
that Fort Sumter would be
fired on within a week.

Well, how can you
possibly know that?

The simple truth is that
I'm on your side, Captain.

Actually, I've been in
close touch with what is now
Confederate headquarters...

for several months.A copperhead.

Well-- [ Chuckles ]
not nearly so outspoken as that.

In Washington, I'm still
considered a staunch defender
of Union principles.

Then it's gonna happen.

Really happen.

Have you ever had
any doubts?No. Just hopes.

I guess I really never
stopped hopin'.

That there
wouldn't be a war?Yes.

'Cause the South
can't win this war--

not now,
not in a million years.

And that's what's been eatin'
at my insides for longer
than I can tell you.

This is an attitude
I hadn't expected.

What did you expect?That you'd be ready
to fight.

Whitlock, when I manipulated
your transfer here I was told
I could count on you.

I was told that you were
a man of intense loyalty,
deeply devoted to the cause.

Cause? Causes may start wars.
They don't win them.

And I don't know
why you're in this.

Obviously, for what
you can get out of it.

I have my reasons.

I'm sure they don't
include love.Love?

The kind a man has
for his home,

his people,
the land he grew up on.

The kind that keeps him
awake nights...

thinking about it all
being blown to pieces.

The earth scorched dry.
Crops ruined.
Friends slaughtered.

Wonderin' what'll be left
when it's all over.

Aren't you jumping
to conclusions?

I'm facing facts--
military facts.

The Union has too much
of everything--

troops, supplies,
production and money--
especially money--

and that's what it takes
to win wars.

Believe me, if I thought
we had a chance--
even a slim chance--

I want you
to read something.

I think it will brighten
your outlook considerably.

This is the Confederate plan
of a surprise campaign
in the West.

Plus an account of
my contribution to ensure
the success of that plan.

[ Sighs ]

Well,
what do you think?

Lee, if the strategy works,
if we can cut off
the gold supply,

we'll have severed
the Union's lifeline.

It'll be over
before you know it.

And after we pull out,
there won't be any replacements?

No hundred-day volunteers?No.

And the rifles the Navajos
were supposed to have stolen,

and the move to Yellow Springs,
that was all part of
your contribution?

It'll put Menguito
on the warpath.

When he gets out of hand,
I'll have an excuse to draw
troops from Stanton.

That will leave the territory's
first line of defense
completely untenable.

Why, the Confederacy
can walk in.

After the Apaches?
Do you ever stop to think...

how many innocent families
will be butchered
because of this?

How many innocent families
will be butchered
in Mississippi?

I'm talking about
cold-blooded mass murder.Well, what do you think war is?

You've been talking
about facing facts.
Well, face these.

If the strategy works,
the South will have
all the odds in its favor.

It can win the war.
If the strategy fails,

everything you said before
will probably come true.

Make your choice
on that basis.

Why couldn't you have
picked someone else?

Because I needed a man
who loved his home so much
he'd do anything for it.

Think about your home, Lee.

Think about some of those
nightmares you had.

All right. I'll do it.

But God help me,
win or lose,

I'll never sleep another night
through so long as I live.

All set?

Here's a copy of the report
I showed you.

When you reach your destination,
you will turn it over
to a Colonel Larson.

I don't have to impress you
with its importance.

Well, good luck, Lee.

Thanks.

Lieutenant Sayre,
you and the scout
take the point.

[ Whistles ]

Well, bye, sir.Good-bye,
Lieutenant.

Have a good trip, and hurry
those 100-daysers along. It's
getting mighty lonesome here.

They're probably already
on the way.I hope so.

You can save the general
a bumpy ride if you meet
the stage at the junction,

but you'll have to get a move on
if you want to make it.

[ Men Shouting ]

[ Speaking Navajo ]

[ Speaking Navajo ]

What do you think, Joe?

No Apache.

According to the general--No Apache.

What about Menguito?
Got any notion of what
he might be up to?

[ Men Shouting ] [ Glass Shattering ]

Howdy, Lieutenant.
Is this the column
out of Union?

That's right.Good. I'm supposed
to hook up with you.

Where do I find
Captain Whitlock?

Where'd they come from?That's what
I'd like to know.

It's a funny place
to rendezvous.

Supply train?Yeah. Guns
and ammunition.

Well, we sure
can use 'em.

Seems kind of peculiar
they'd send 'em chasséing
all over the country...

with just
a four-man escort,

especially with Apaches
kicking up such a fuss.

♪ [ Harmonica ][ Chattering ]

The horses are all
taken care of, sir.

Lieutenant Fry and two men
are bedding down near 'em
for the night.

Will the captain be making
a round of the pickets
before turning in, sir?

What? Oh, I'll take care
of that, Sergeant.

Good night.Good night.

Stop stirring that fire,
you idiot!

You don't know any better to
stir a fire in bivouac, it's
high time someone taught you!

Lee, is anything wrong?What make you think
anything's wrong?

The way you've been actin',
for one thing.

What do you want me to do?
Let 'em burn the place down?

The fact that you haven't
said three words to me since
we left the fort for another.

Well, I'm sorry, honey.
I've had a lot on my mind.

Oh, I know you
too well, Lee.

It takes more than that
to put you on edge.

Tell me. What is it?

If something's bothering you,
there's no sense keeping it
locked up inside.

I told you there
was nothing wrong.

Marcy, I don't mean to be rude,
but I gotta make my rounds.

You better get some rest.

Jed, I'm worried about Lee.

Why?
What's the matter?I don't know. I--

I can't put my finger on it,
but something's upsettin' him.

He hasn't been himself at all.
Haven't you noticed it?

Well, he's got
a big responsibility.

Oh, he's had responsibility
before, and it never
affected him like this.

This is different.
It's new to him.

You don't think
there's something else?

Now, you stop worrying.
There's nothing wrong.

He'll probably straighten out
as soon as we hit Stanton.

Come to think of it,
I haven't seen much
of you either.

Tell your brother to take me
off the point. I can't be
in two places at once.

You're not on the point now.

No, ma'am, I'm sure not.

[ Rattle Rattling ]

Don't move, Marcy.

What's the matter?

You better run along, Marcy.
I'll get rid of this fella.

Hey, Bid. Did you ever hear of
a Colonel Larson in Stanton?

Larson. Stanton.

No, never. Why?

This sort of fell out
of Whitlock's saddlebag.

It got me curious.

Curious enough to risk
a court-martial?

Yeah.

That does it. The rest of
the sentries can be trusted.

These men understand?I read the letter to 'em.

Good. Sabbath, take two men
and spike the cannon.

It'll only
slow us down.Yes, sir.

[ Indistinct ]

Now, you men all
know your jobs.
Let's get going.

Stay where you are
and nobody'll get hurt.

What is this, Sayre?So we're all in
the same army, huh?

What do you propose
to do about it?

I propose to get back to Union
before Menguito does.

And then I intend to alert
every garrison in the territory.

Jed. Jed.

I was just coming
to get you, Marcy.

This will explain things
better than I can.

Sergeant McAfee, send some men
after the horses and get those
ammo wagons turned around.

Yes, sir.

[ Man ]
Hey, Lieutenant!

You have enough ammo
and supplies to get by.

Don't bother with the cannons.
They're spiked.

All right, men!
Let's make time.

Forward, ho!

Well, stop starin' at me,
Marcy. I mean it.

I can't help it.

I see a stranger, and I'm
curious about strangers.

But don't you see? There was
nothing else I could do.
It was our only chance to win.

Didn't the price
bother you at all?

It's my home too, Lee,
and I love it as much
as you do.

But I think what I love most
about it are the people.

A strange breed, Lee,
full of pride and honor,

dignity, tradition.

They may lose the war
and suffer terribly for it,

but I don't think they'd
want to win it this way.

Then why didn't you
go back with Jed?

Did you just stay here to see
if you could tear me apart? No.

I stayed because I was ashamed--
so terribly ashamed.

All right, men. Saddle up.
We're going back to Union.

[ Chattering ]

- [ Groans ]
- Ambush!

Ambush!

Vaness,
get out of there!

[ Shouting ]

Set up a barricade.
We'll see if we can
keep 'em penned in.

Jed, that's suicide.We got men inside this fort
and we're not leaving them.

Maybe they're not
gonna come out.

They'll come out, all right.
It's just a question of when.

This waiting's
getting us nowhere.You got a better idea?

[ Man Shouting ]Here they come.

[ Shouting ]

Over here, you men!

[ Whinnies ]

♪ [ Bugle: Charge ]

Thanks, Whitlock. You're
a little late. Menguito had
the fort when we got here.

Jed! Jed!

This is no place for a woman.
I'll have a man take
you in to Watrous.

Let's get one thing
straight, Sayre.

Marcy only stayed with me
because she couldn't face you
after what I'd done.

[ Gunfire ]

Thanks for coming back,
Marcy.

[ Screams ]

Make these count.
There ain't too much left.

[ Laughs ]
Didn't I tell you this army
was muddleheaded, Chavez?

We bury tons of ammunition in
the magazine, and then run short
'cause we can't get to it.

Ha!

You think you and your men
can draw Menguito to
the front of the fort...

and keep him occupied
for about 20 minutes?

Well, we can make
a pretty good try at it.
Why?

Might give me a chance
to get inside.Huh?

Through the magazine tunnel.

Putt, get the horses.

You men about ready?Just about.

All set, sir.

All right, men,
mount up.

[ Gunfire Continues ]

We're through!

You all right,
honey?Uh-huh.

Hey. Where'd
you get that?

My kid brother sent it to me.
I've been saving it
for the right time.

Well, let's hope this
is the right time.

Ready?

Charge!

[ Speaking Navajo ]

[ Shouting ]

[ Speaking Navajo ]

[ Gunfire ]

Do as he says.

Stay where you are.

I didn't do that
for you, Stone.

Anything you get
you deserve.

There's been a lot
of killing here today.

Looks like there's gonna be
a lot more from here on in.

Think you oughta
know why. I know why, Belinka.

It will always be this way
between our people.

With men like him
around, yes.

He planted those rifles
and ammunition your people
were supposed to have stolen,

then sent us out
to find them...

and to move your people
to Yellow Springs.

Why would he do this thing?

'Cause he knew you wouldn't
sit still for it,

and before long,
you'd start making medicine.

That's what he wanted.

Is this true?

Tell him, Stone.

Go ahead and tell him,
or so help me,
I'll kill you myself.

No, Menguito!

That won't help.

I think nothing will
help now, Belinka.

Take your people--
what's left of them anyway--
and go on back to the hills.

Go on home.

[ Speaking Navajo ]

Good luck.Thanks.

Good-bye, honey.Good-bye, Lee.

Take good care of her,
Mr. Sayre.

Yes, sir.

Ten-hut![ Men ]
Ten-hut!

Column, south!

All right, Ben,
dismiss the troops.

Dismissed!